duomo

Duomo is a term used in Italian to denote the principal church of a city, typically the seat of a bishop. The word literally means dome, and the name reflects the domed architecture that characterizes many of these churches; however, a duomo is defined as the main church rather than by a single architectural feature, and not all have a prominent dome.

In practice, duomos function as central liturgical and civic landmarks. They span a range of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, and they usually feature a large nave and a dome or cupola. Some duomos are famed for historic innovations in dome construction, such as Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore, whose dome was engineered by Brunelleschi.

Notable examples include the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral), the Duomo di Firenze, the Duomo di Siena, and the Duomo di Pisa. These buildings often form the core of their cities’ historic centers and are associated with UNESCO sites, museums, and art collections. The term is also used in other countries for major churches that serve as diocesan seats.

Functionally, a duomo is usually the principal church of a diocese, often serving as the bishop’s seat (with the formal term in Italian being cattedrale). Beyond worship, duomos function as centers of heritage, tourism, and local identity.